Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

LOCATION:

Lots 16 & 17 lie on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg about midway between the College of William and Mary and the Capitol.

HISTORY IN SUMMARY:

Earliest known record of Lots 16 & 17 was in 1716 when the Trustees of Williamsburg conveyed to Orlando Jones. Upon the death of Jones in 1719 he mentioned in his will that his house and lots should be sold to pay his debts. In January, 1720 Mary Jones, the widow, conveyed two lots designated as 16 & 17 with all houses and buildings thereon, to John James Flournoy, watchmaker. Shortly afterwards, Flournoy married the widow Jones. They lived on the premises until 1729 when the property was conveyed to Mrs. Joanna Archer, widow, of Williamsburg. When Flournoy bought the property in 1720, he paid £100 current money and £100 Sterling. When he sold it in 1729, he was paid £160 current money of Virginia. It is assumed that Mrs. Archer moved to this property shortly afterwards. No will or inventory of Mrs. Archer who died in 1732 has been located. It is possible that following her death, the property may have been rented to William Hooper, merchant, and other renters. From a notice in the Virginia Gazette, local newspaper, we know that Dr. Kenneth McKenzie had been living at her property prior to May, 1745 when it was advertised for sale. From this date to well into the nineteenth century, there are no records extant indicating legal conveyance of these lots. The Frenchman's Map (1782) of Williamsburg shows houses thereon. The College Map (1791?) has the lots numbered "16" & "17" with Charlton on Lot 16. The Bucktrout Map (1803) has Charlton on Lot 16 and Stith on Lot 17. It is impossible with the dearth of court records to follow ownerships of these lots. We do not know which Charlton owned Lot 16. Sometime ca. 1846 Robert Anderson, merchant and large land owner in Williamsburg, had acquired this property. From insurance policies of adjoining property, reminiscences of Mr. John S. Charles (1931) and a diary of a member of the Galt family of Williamsburg, it appears that a fire in 1842 swept away houses on this block. When Robert Anderson made his will in 1857, he stated that "none of his Houses and lots on the South side of Main Street in Williamsburg except the House and lot at the So: West corner that I bought of Hansfords..." should be sold; but "to be leased out for terms of three or four years until the year 1875" when they were to be divided among the children of a former slave. From Anderson's death in 1871 to the present time, ownerships can be noted in the body of this report.

Photostat Copy of the Williamsburg Plat in "Williamsburg the Old Colonial Capitol" by Lyon G. Tyler

LOCATION:

The colonial lots 16 & 17 lie on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg. See: Tyler's adaptation of the College Map, opposite page.

HISTORY:

From a clause in a deed from Mary Jones, widow of Orlando Jones, son of the Reverend Rowland Jones, rector of Bruton Parish Church, we learn that the lots in Williamsburg were conveyed by the Trustees of the city to Orlando Jones on October 18th and 19th 1716.¹ This conveyance is not recorded in the court records of York County except in this deed from Mary Jones to John James Flournoy. (To follow in the report).

The will of Orlando Jones² was written in June, 1719 and proved and recorded in November, 1719 in York County court records. The will follows:

[June 4, 1719]

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Orlando Jones being in perfect health of body make this my last will & Testament hereby Revoking all other Wills by me heretofore made first I will & desire Order Appoint my house & two lotts in Williamsburgh be sold by my Exec^rs hereafter named towards payment of my debts legacies & funerel Charges & out of the produce thereof I give to my loving Wife Mary Jones one hundred pounds Sterl with what other Legacies are hereinafter given to her are in full. Compinstation & recompence for her Dower or full share of my Estate & 2 I give to my s^d Wife my best feather bed & furniture & her riding horses Saddle & I give to my Daughter Frances Jones my next best feather bed & furniture Item I give to my s^d Daughter Frances Jones & to her heirs forever, all my land joyning upon John's Creek in King W^m County Item I give to my s^d Wife her trunk & [illeg] Item I give to my Daughter Frances Jones the trunk that was her mothers & all in that Item I give to my loving Wife Mary Jones & to her heirs forever Molatto woman Slave named frank with all her increase from this date Item I desire that my s^d Wife may have the tuition & bringing up my s^d Daughter till she comes of Age or is married Item
2 I will & desire that when my s^d house & lots shall be sold that if it should not produce as much as will pay the hundred pounds Sterl & my debts that then my Tob^o Shiped & now to be Shipped or the produce thereof with what other personal Estate I have & my debts Owing to me I desire may be appropriated for that Use & to Supply that defeat Item I give to my Son Lane Jones & to his heirs for ever the following Slaves Viz^t Hannah Ned David Sarah Selton great Jenney Warwick Jemmy Old Jack at Cohoke my Serv^t Will Kanadey Item I give to my s^d Daughter frances the following Slaves Viz Nanny Cohoke, Jemmy, Gabril Poll Johnny Dinah Kate & her Girl Jenney to her & her heirs for ever & John Ried I give my great Silver Tankard to my son Lane Jones I give my Caudle Cup to my Daughter frances & six Silver spoons of the best in the House likewise I give her my Negro Man Dick to her & her heirs for ever Item I give to my s^d Wife the use & Occupation of all my household [illeg] my stock of Cattle now here as long as she shall live here with my Children a widder & perform this My last Will & Testament together w^th my sheep & hoggs & then to my son Lane Jones & his heirs for ever Item I desire my two freinds Mathew Pierce & Baldwin Mathews may be Overseers or Coadjutors to assist my Wife in performing this my last Will Lastly I appoint my loving Wife Mary Jones & my freind Baldwin Mathews to be Exec^rs of this my last Will & Testament contained in two half Sheets of paper Witness my hand & seal June the 4^th Anno Domo 1719 Also I order my brother W^m Macon to be tuter to my son Lane if he will Accept thereof
Orlando Jones (Seal)

Published before us & also Sign'd & Sealed
Tho^s TC Crisp ^{his mark}
Mary Brathwatch
John Brathwate

At a Court held for York County Nov^r 16: 1719
This last will & testament of Orlando Jones dee^d was presented in Court by Mary Jones one of the Exec^rs therein named (Baldwin Mathews the other Exec^r having relinquished the Exorship) who made Oath to it & being proved by the Oaths of all the Witnesses thereto is admitted to Record
Test Phi: Lightfoot C^l Cur

At a Court held for York County December the 21^st 1719... Hugh Owen Rich^d Howell Leo^d Clayton & Henry Fox of the County of King Wm or any three of them being first Sworn by a Justice of the County are appointed & desired to appraise all Such Estate of Orlando Jones dee^d as Shall be produced before them by the Exe^rs & make Report thereof to the next Court.¹

From the above quoted will, we learn that Mary Jones was the wife of Orlando Jones; that he had a daughter, Frances Jones who was daughter of his first marriage; that he had a son, Lane Jones by the first marriage and that both children were under age at the time of their father's death.

On December 21, 1719 three men were appointed by the court of York County to appraise the estate of the deceased Jones. Such appraisal was made and recorded in March, 1720. An inventory and appraisement of the estate of Jones (all items presumably taken at his house in Williamsburg) was made and recorded at December court, 1719, appraisors named being from the city.¹

A few months after the death of Jones, his widow conveyed the lots 16 and 17 (so named in the deed) to John James Flournoy, watchmaker of Williamsburg:

[January 16, 1719/20]

[Mary Jones, Williamsburg^{widow of Orlando Jones late of the County of York, Gentl decd},
to
John James Flournoy, Williamsburg
£100 Current Money & £100 Sterling]

THIS INDENTURE made the sixteenth day of January in the sixth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King George of Great Britain &c & in the Year of our Lord Christ one Thousand seven hundred and Nineteen BETWEEN Mary Jones Widow of Orlando Jones Late of the County of York, Gent & dec^d of the one part & John James Flournoy of the City of Williamsburgh Watchmaker of the other part WITNESSETH that Whereas the s^d Orlando Jones at the time of his decease was possessed in fee of two Lotts of Ground lying & being in the s^d City of Williamsburgh denoted in the Plan of the s^d City by these figures (Viz) 16 & 17 with all houses & buildings thereon & all & singular the Rights Members & Appurtenances to the same belonging or in any wise Appertaining as by Deeds of Lease & Release from the feoffees of the s^d City bearing date the eighteenth & nineteenth days of October One thousand seven hundred & sixteen (relation being thereunto had) may more fully Appear & Whereas the s^d Orlando Jones did by his Last will & Testament Constitute Baldwin Mathews of York County Gent together with the sd Mary Jones Executor^s of his s^d will with full power to his s^d Executors to make sale of the aforementioned Lotts & premises in the best Manner for certain uses in the s^d will Mentioned & to make & Execute such Deeds & Lawfull Conveyances of the same as he the s^d Orlando in his Life time might or could do & whereas the s^d Baldwin Mathews for certain reasons hath relinquished his part in the sd Executorship whereby the Execution of the s^d Testament & the power of the selling the aforementioned Lotts & premisses is devolved upon the s^d Mary Jones SHE the s^d Mary Jones for Divers Good Causes & Considerations her thereunto moving but more especially for & in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds Current Money & one hundred pounds Sterling secured to be paid to the s^d Mary Jones her Executors or Assignes Hath Bargained 4 Sold alienated enfeoffed & confirmed by these presents unto the s^d John James Flournoy all the aforerecited two Lotts with the houses & Appurtenances thereon & thereto belonging TO HAVE & TO HOLD the s^d two Lotts with all & Singular Other the premisses unto him the s^d John James Flournoy his heirs & Assignes to the only proper use & behoof of him the s^d John James Flournoy his heirs & Assignes for ever AND the s^d Mary Jones for herself her heirs &c: Doth Covenant & Agree with the s^d John James Flournoy his heirs & Assignes in manner following That is to say That the s^d Mary Jones by Virtue of the power Conferred on her by the aforementioned Testament & by the Relinquishment of the s^d Baldwin Mathews in manner aforesaid hath full powers & Authority to make sale of the s^d two Lotts & other the premisses in as Ample manner as by this present deed she hath done & further that he the s^d John James Flournoy his heirs & Assignes & every of them shall & may forever hereafter by virtue hereof peaceably & Quietly have hold use Occupy posses & injoy all the aforementioned two Lotts with the houses & other the Appurtenances without any Lawfull Lett suit Trouble Eviction Erection denial disturbance or other hinderance Whatsoever of her the s^d Mary Jones her heirs or of any other person whatsoever Claiming or to Claim any Estate Right Title or Interest of in or Unto the s^d Lotts & premises by from or under her them or any of them And Lastly the s^d Mary Jones the above Mentioned two Lotts & other the premises with their & every of their Appurtenances unto the s^d John James Flournoy his heirs & Assignes against the Claim of her the s^d Mary Jones & her heirs & of all other persons whatsoever shall & will Warrent & for ever Defend by these presents IN WITNESS whereof the s^d Mary Jones hath hereunto sett her hand & seal the
day & Year above Written
Mary Jones (Seal)

Signed sealed & Delivered
In Presence of
Jn^o Harris
Lewis Contesse
Francis Flournoy

Memorandum upon the Sixteenth day of January one thousand Seven hundred & Nineteen full & absolute possession & Livery & Siezin of the within bargained Lotts & houses with their appurtenances was made & delivered by the within named Mary Jones unto the within named John James Flournoy in due form of Law according to the Tenure of the within written Indenture In presence of us
John Harris
Louis Contesse
Francis Flournoy

At a Court held for York County March the 21^st 1719/20
Mary Jones presented & acknowledged this her Deed for Land lying in this County with Livery & Siezin endorsed thereon to John James Flournoy on whose motion it is admitted to Record
Test Phi: Lightfoot C^l Cur¹

Jones had designated in his will that his wife, Mary, who was stepmother to his daughter, Frances, should have the tuition and bringing up of Frances until she arrived of age. In June, 1721 John James Flournoy, who had married the widow Jones, qualified as guardian to Lane Jones. Samuel Cobbs and Jean Pasteur went on his bond.²

In 1725 Lane Jones chose Anna Maria Timson to be his guardian--which office she accepted.³ In 1726 Frances Jones made choice of Graves Pack to be her guardian.⁴ By March, 1727 there was a suit instituted in York Court by Graves Pack in the interest of Frances Jones. The suit was against Flournoy, her brother's former guardian. Also, Anna Maria Timson, brought suit against the settlement of Orlando Jones's estate as connected with John James Flournoy.⁵ This seems to have been settled in July, 1727.⁶ (Lane Jones became twenty one in 1727/28.)

In September, 1729 John James Flournoy conveyed to Joanna Archer, [widow of Michael Archer], lots 16 and 17 "scituate on the South Side of the Street Called Duke of Gloster Street in Williamsburgh ... ":

[September 13, 1729]

[John James Flournoy, watchmaker, Williamsburg,
to
Joanna Archer, widow, Williamsburg,
Consideration: £160 Current Money of Virginia]

THIS INDENTURE Made the thirteenth day of September in the third Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE the Second of Great Brittain France and Ireland...MDCCXXIX BETWEEN John James Flournoy 6 of the city of W^msburgh Watchmaker on the One part and Joanna Archer of Williamsburgh aforesaid Widow on the Other part WITNESSETH that for & in Consideration of One hundred & Sixty pounds of lawfull Money of the Currancy of Virginia to the Said John James Flournoy by the Said Joanna Archer in hand paid before the Sealing & Delivery of these presents well and truly paid the Receipt Whereof the Said John James Flournoy doth hereby Acknowledge and thereof and of Every part thereof doth Acquit & Discharge the Said Joanna Archer her heirs Execu^rs & Adm^rs and every of them by these presents the said John James Flournoy hath granted bargained and Sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and Sell Unto the Said Johanna Archer her heirs & Assigns All that Messuage or dwelling house wherein the Said John James Flournoy now Dwelleth Scituate on the South Side of the Street Called Duke of Gloster Street in Williamsburgh aforesaid and also Two lotts of land on Which or one of them the Said Messuage now Standeth and which are Described in the plan of the s^d City by the figures 16 & 17 and all houses outhouses and buildings on the said Lotts or on any of them now Standing or being and all Commodities profits and Appurtenances whatsoever to the Said Granted Messuage & Lotts of land belonging or in any wise Appertaining or therewith Usually Occupied Used or Enjoyed Or Accepted Reputed taken or known to be part or parcel thereof and the Reversion & Reversions Remainder & Remainders Rents Issues and profits there of and of every part thereof and also all the Estate Right Title Interest Claim property and Demand Whatsoever of the Said John James Flornoy his heirs & Assigns of in & to the Same To have and to hold the Said Messuage Lotts of Land and all and Singular other the premisses herein before Mentioned and Intended to be hereby granted bargained and Sold with their and Every of their Appurtenances Unto the Said Joanna Archer her heirs & Assigns to the only Use and behoof of the Said Joanna Archer her heirs & Assigns for Ever AND the Said John James Flournoy for himself his heirs Execu^rs & Adm^rs doth Covenant promise and grant to and with the Said Joanna Archer her heirs & Assigns by these presents in Manner following that is to Say that he the Said John James Flournoy at the time of the Sealing & Delivery of these presents is and Standeth lawfully Seized of and in the Said Messuage Lotts of Land with all the houses Outhouses buildings & premisses Whatsoever before Mentioned ... with their and Every of their Appurtenances of A good Sole perfect and Absolute Estate in fee Simple in his Own Right not Subject or liable to any Condition or Conditions Use or Uses Whatsoever Whereby to Change Alter defeat or Disannul the Same ... hath good Right full power & Lawfull & Absolute Authority to grant & Convey the Same and Every part thereof Unto the Said Joanna Archer her heirs and Assigns for Ever According to the true intent and Meaning of these presents and that She the Said Johanna Archer her heirs and Assigns Shall and May peaceably and Quietly have hold and Enjoy the Said Messuage Lotts of Land & premisses with all and Singular their & Every of their Appurtenances Whatsoever before Mentioned not only without the Lawfull Lett Suit hinderance & Interruption Eviction Mollestation or trouble of the Said John James Flournoy his heirs or Assigns and an other Charges Titles ... AND FURTHER that he the Said John James Flournoy his heirs & Assigns and all And Every other person and persons Whatsoever lawfully Claiming by from or under him shall and will from time to time and at all times hereafter within the Space of Seven Years next Ensuing the date of this 7 present Indenture at and upon the Reasonable Request and proper Cost & Charges in the Law of the Said Joanna Archer her heirs and Assigns or Some of them do make levy Suffer Execute and Acknowledge or Cause to be done made levyed ... for the farther better and More perfect Assuring the Said Messuage Lotts of land and all and Singular other the premisses hereby granted bargained and Sold ... Unto the Said Joanna Archer her heirs & Assigns ... her heirs or Assigns her or their Counsil learned in the law Shall be Reasonably Advised Devised or Required so as the Said further Assurances to be made or any of them do not nor Shall Contain any further or other Warranty or Covenants for & Enjoying than only Against the parties thereto Respectively and their Respective heirs touching and Concerning Acts & Deeds done & Suffered by them or any of them and so as for Makeing thereof they be not Compelled by travail further than to the place where the General Court of Virginia or the Court for the County of York Shall be then held IN WITNESS Whereof the parties first Above Named to these presents & Interchangeably their hands and Seals have Sett the day and Year first Above Written
John James Flournoy (Seal)

Sealed & Delivered in
presence of

Rec^d September y^e 13^th 1729 of the Within Named Joanna Archer the Sum of One hund^rd & Sixty pounds Curr^t Money being the Consideration Money Within Mentioned [illeg]
John James Flournoy

At a Court held for York County Sep^r 15^th 1729
John James Flournoy presented & Acknowledged this his Deed Also Appear'd Mary his Wife [who was examined and agreed to the deed to Joanna Archer].

Test Philightfoot C^lCur¹

John James Flournoy "presented and Acknowledged his deed w^th Rec^t thereon for land to Johanna Archer. Also Appeared Mary Wife of the said James and being privately examined Relinquished her right of dower in the Said lands ... ordered to Record..."²

Mrs. Johanna Archer was the widow of Michael Archer, gentleman of Williamsburg. According to an inscription on his tombstone in Bruton churchyard, he was born September 29, 1681 near Rippon in Yorkshire, England.³ 8 In 1719 Archer was clerk of James City County.¹ In 1720 he obtained Lot 48.² His wife, Joanna Archer, was buried beside him in Bruton churchyard in October, 1732.³

We do not know if Mrs. Archer moved to lots 16 & 17 immediately upon her acquiring the property in September, 1729. Doubt about this is brought about by the fact that there are no deeds of conveyance by her for the houses on Lot 48. (Doubtless this conveyance was recorded in the General Court. These records were destroyed by fire in 1862.)

The only other item of note which the records have produced concerning Mrs. Archer's habits in Williamsburg is found in 1732 (May) prior to her death in October, 1732:

At a Court held for York County May 15, 1732

I Joanna Archer of Williamsburgh Widow hereby Appoint Saml Wilkinson to appear as my Attorney in the County Court of York and in my behalf to Consent to the Within Agreem^t May 15^th 1732
Joanna Archer

Memorandum
That Whereas Elizabeth Steedman was bound to Joanna Archer by Indenture bearing date the 10^th day of December ... 1731 in London, to serve the said Joanna in the plantation of Virginia for the space of four Years...for the Yearly Wages of Eight pounds Sterg to be paid Quarterly in which Indenture it is provided that if the said Elizabeth Steedman should not like to stay in Virginia more than One Year that her passage back to London should be paid by the said Joanna Archer. It is now Agreed between the said parties that the said Joanna Archer shall pay Six pounds Ster^g for the said Elizabeth Steedmans passage to Virginia and five pounds Ster^g more in full for the said Elizabeth Steedmans wages from the time of the said Indenture and shall discharge the said Elizabeth Steedman from all further Services. In Consideration whereof the said Elizabeth Steedman doth discharge the said Joanna Archer from all Covenants and Agreements Contained in the said Indenture on the part of the said Joanna Archer to be performed.
Elizabeth Steedman
Sam^l Wilkinson⁴

Though we know that Mrs. Archer died in October, 1732, no will, inventory of her estate or mention of heirs has been found in York County records. It is possible that Lots 16 & 17 were rented to William Hooper, who carried on a general store in May, 1737. He locates his business as "at his Store, (which was formerly Mrs. Archer's) in Williamsburg." Hooper advertised that he had men from London who could make stays or suits. We include Hooper's notice in this report. However, his shop could have been located at Lot 48 just as well:¹

JUST Imported, from London, by William Hooper, and to be Sold by him, at his Store, (which was formerly Mrs. Archer's - Williamsburg, the following Goods, Viz. Broad-Cloaths of all Sorts; Druggets, Duroys, German Serges, Kerseys, Camblets, Sagathees, Duffils, Scarlet Ditto, with suitable Trimmings for them, of Gold, Silver, or Plain. Velvets of several Colours, to match any Pattern. Aloopeens, Shagreens, Brocades, Matua Silks, Flower'd Silks, Starrets, Paduasoys , and Jeans. Manteels, Manteelets, Velvet Hoods; Capes ready made of Velvet, or Black Silk, with a very fashionable Snail, Black Scarlet, or Mix'd Colours: Or, if any Person would rather buy the Goods, they may have very fashionable Patterns given them, with Directions how they should be made.

All Sorts of Goods for Mourning, both for Men and Women: Also Hats, Wiggs, Stockings, Shoes; Haberdashery, Cutlery, &c. If any Gentlemen or Ladies have a Mind to have Suits of Cloaths, or Stays, made of any of the above mentioned Goods, they shall be cheaper served than ever, and made by the best Workmen from London. He also sells New-Market and Great Coats, ready made. For any of Which, they may pay in Bills, Cash, or Tobacco: And if any Persons have Tobacco to dispose of for Goods, (with some Money,) let them apply to the said William Hooper, who will deal as Reasonable as any Man. If any Gentlemen are desirous of having Suits of Cloaths made up in England, they may have them done according to their Directions, by applying to the said Hooper, with any further Trouble and on Reasonable Terms...²

The above notice is the only time William Hooper is mentioned in any record at the disposal of the writer.

By 1745 Dr. Kenneth McKenzie¹ was living at the property formerly Mrs. Joanna Archer's:

[May 16, 1745]

The Dwelling-house, Kitchen, Meat-house, Stable, and other convenient Outhouses also a Garden, with the 2 Lots they are upon, being Part of the Estate of Mrs. Joanna Archer, deceas'd and where Doctor Kenneth MacKenzie now lives, in Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg, are to be expos'd to Sale to the highest Bidder, for ready Money, on the second Tuesday in June next being the first Day of the Courts of Oyer and Terminer²

In January, 1746 Dr. McKenzie advertised that he had a quantity of imported drugs for sale:

[January 23, 1746]

Just imported, from London, by the Subscriber, in Williamsburg, A Considerable Quantity of choice Medicines, Chimical and Galenical, truly prepared; which are to be Sold reasonably, by
Kenneth Mackenzie³

From the wording of the notice in the Virginia Gazette, one would infer that McKenzie was renting. However, no title to McKenzie nor any transfer of these lots has been located in the court records for York County. (This may be explained, probably, because the James City court records were destroyed in 1862.) Dr. McKenzie's wife's name was Joanna Tyler prior to her marriage. Her grandmother was Joanna Lowe. Mrs. Archer's name was Joanna as we have seen from the records. As this is such an unusual name, it may be that Mrs. Joanna McKenzie was a niece or great-niece of Mrs. Archer. (The writer has not been able to find proof of this in church or court records.)

In 1747-1749 John Mercer, lawyer who was in Williamsburg on legal business or attending the session of the House of Burgesses, paid Dr. Kenneth McKenzie for lodgings, board and medicines:

		Dr Kenneth McKenzie Williamsburg	Cr
1747	May	By medicines	£11.1.2
1748	Agst.	By Lodging & Board a month & 3 days	6. 9. -
		By a bed tick for my Bed	2.12. 6
	October	By Medicines & Attendance my self J[illeg]	7.10.11
		By Lodging fr 7 weeks	6. 6. 4
1749	May	By Medicines as per Account	2. 6. - 1

From May, 1745 when the property was advertised for sale until well into the nineteenth century, there is a gap in the title. However, several maps of the period from 1782-1807 indicate that there were buildings on the lots: (1) The Frenchman's Map of Williamsburg (1782) shows buildings flush to Duke of Gloucester Street with two outbuildings to the south; (2) The College Map (1791 ?) indicates "Charlton" on the northern part of Lot 16 with no name upon Lot 17; and (3) The Bucktrout Map (1803) shows "Charlton" on Lot 16 and "Stith" on Lot 17. Lively's adaptation of Bucktrout's Map (1867) gives this same picture of the two lots.²

There is reasonable proof that in 1782 Charles Lewis was in possession of the southern end of Lot 16. Williamsburg Land Tax records show: "George Reid to Charles Lewis ½ lot ----- £10.10."³ (Again, there are no records in court orders or deeds of this conveyance.)

In 1785 a tax transfer from George Reid to Mary Stith indicates that Mary Stith became owner of ¼ lot in Williamsburg.¹ Also, in 1785 Mary Stith is listed as holder of "¼ lot with an annual value of £18- bought of George Reid the public lots."² Just what is meant by "the public lots" is not known. This ¼ lot is listed until 1801 when it becomes ½ lot.³

From the above quoted records, it appears that Lot 16 south was owned by Charles Lewis from 1782-1806; and Lot 16 north was owned by "Charlton" from 17-- to 18--. It seems impossible from the records available to establish beyond doubt the Charlton who was owner of the northern part of Lot 16. Edward Charlton (1752-1792) lived in Williamsburg as a barber. He owned Lot 22 from ca. 1772 to 1779. His wife, Jane Charlton, owned Lot 52 from ca. 1795 to 1806. Richard Charlton (died 1779) occupied Lot 22 from ca. 1772-1777. Mrs. Mary Charlton had a shop on Lot L, Francis Street from 1799-1811. She was wife of Francis Charlton (died 1798) leaving children: Francis (died 1813), Mary married Robert Greenhow 1812, Jane C. married Keeling 1823 and Thomas P. (died 1820). A study of these seems to indicate that Edward, Jane, Richard and Mary Charlton were placed on the above locations with no indication as to which Charlton held Lot 16.

The "Charlton" lot [16] is given as a boundary line to Lot 15 in January, 1814. In a deed from Wilson Cheeks to Robert Anderson the property is described as "On the North by the Main Street, on the East by a street which divides the same from Orrill's and Charlton's lots, on the South by Francis Street, and on the West by Lightfoot's lot and the Masons Hall..."⁴

The gap to title remains a problem until about the mid-century. In 1846 an insurance policy of the Mutual Assurance Society, #14386,describing the property of John A. Deneufville stated that his buildings were "situated between the main street North, a Cross street dividing it from a house and lot of Robert Anderson, East, Frances street on the South and William Peachy's on the West ... "¹

The above description of Anderson's house and lot [presumably Lot 16] is confusing in the light of Mr. John S. Charles "Recollections" of this block and in view of the Land Tax records for 1843. The latter accounts note that two buildings (on separate lots in this block) belonging to Robert Anderson had been totally destroyed by fire. One lot was appraised at "200; the other at $100."² Mr. Charles describes this block as he remembered it in 1865 thus:

The square bounded by Duke of Gloucester, Francis, Colonial, and Botetourt Streets had, at the time the Civil War began, and for many years anterior thereto, only three dwellings on it. At the north west corner of this square, where Mr. Dick Braithwaite now lives, there stood a long story and a half wooden building with doors opening right on the street. This house was low to the ground, the west end of which was used as a residence and in the other end there was once a store. There were, when the War began, no more houses on this square fronting on Duke of Gloucester Street; but instead there were immense brick gable-ends of houses that had long since been destroyed by fire. These foundations were often filled with water that afforded the small boys rare sport-boating in the summer and skating in the winter.³

In April, 1842 according to an account found in a diary by some member of the Galt family in Williamsburg, a great fire occurred: 14

1842
April 4. A Great Fire occured at 2 oclock last night it originated in M^r T. Sands burnt M^r Robert Andersons house Mr. G. Southalls office Nelly Bollin's beverly Rowzies on the other Miss R M^r R Andersons large Store on the opposite side of the Street, Sally Jeffersons house on the Back Street the old Coffee house occupied by M^r Hurt and anoth temement. ¹

Mrs. Hannah Anderson, sister-in-law of Robert Anderson who was living in Alabama, wrote to her brother-in-law on April 28, 1842: "... I was much shocked and concerned to learn by an article in the Phoenix, that your dwelling house and store had been burned down, together with some other houses..."²

In 1857 Robert Anderson then residing at Yorktown, made his will in which he bequeathed to his wife "as long as she resides where she now does [certain sum] and I wish her to use all my adjoining lots on the South side of Main Street in Williamsburg except the House and lot at the So: West corner that I bought of Hansfords ...."³ And follows: "... None of my Houses and lots on the South side of Main Street in Williamsburg none of my Houses and lots in York Town., and none of my lands in York County below Williamsburg are to be sold on any terms; but they are to be leased out for terms of not more than three of four years at a time until the year 1875 at which time they are to be taken and divided equally between the said four now minor children [children of his slave, Maria Griffin] ... and I lend to her [Maria Griffin] for her life to live in the House and lot, about 90 feet Square, on Frances & cross Streets in Williamsburg, bought mainly of Hansfords..."⁴

On November 12, 1884 William W. Old, special commissioner for the estate of Anderson, conveyed to R. L. Henley, with special warranty, the following lot of land:

...That certain lot of land, situate on Duke of Gloucester Street, in Williamsburg, Virginia, fronting on said street 100 feet, and running back to the south 152 feet ...¹

On February 1, 1886 Henley and wife conveyed this property to George E. Beale.² George Beale and wife, on April 30, 1886 conveyed to David Beale a portion of this lot:

That certain lot of land situate on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg, commencing at a stake 70 feet from the line of Colonial Street, and running east 30 feet to the lot now owned by J. P. Slater, and running back 152 feet south, between parallel lines...³

A deed of trust by George E. Beale and wife, dated November 3, 1895, to C. J. Person, trustee to secure B. H. Ewan, executor of the estate of Sarah Lowe, deceased, was recorded April 2, 1896.⁴ In May, 1896 Matilda C. Person and B. H. Ewan, trustees and others, conveyed to Charles J. Person a 10 foot strip off of the eastern portion of that part of the original lot as then stood in the name of George E. Beale.⁵ "It will be seen that after the conveyance of 30 feet off of the eastern portion of the original lot, as mentioned above, and 10 feet as mention also- there should remain 60 feet in the name of George E. Beale." (Quoted from chain to title prepared by B. D. 16 Peachy, April 25, 1933)

Several deeds of trust were recorded by Beale and wife from August, 1896 to 1918 when George Beale died. By deed dated October 12, 1920 George Beale, Jr., and other heirs of George Beale, Sr., conveyed the lot of land to Richard M. B. Braithwaite, with general warranty.¹

Braithwaite gave deed of trust in October, 1920; and again in 1921.²

In 1928 R. M. B. Braithwaite demised to E. D. Saunders the store room, together with two rooms south thereof, being a portion of the residence building on the lot--for a period of two years from October 1, 1928. The Lessee and his successors were given the privilege to renew and extend this lease for additional successive periods of two years each, until the total period of such extentions shall embrace 8 years.³

In October, 1928 Edward D. Saunders demised the store room and two rooms to the south thereof, mentioned in the foregoing description to Earl A. Riggle and Zebulon S. Miller, trading as Williamsburg Battery Company, for a term of two years, with right of renewal of two years up to 8 years.⁴

Oh the 26th of June, 1930 Richard M. B. Braithwaite was adjudged insane and committed to the Eastern State Hospital. His wife, Eva P. Braithwaite, qualified as committee of his person and estate. After a suit instituted by Mrs. Braithwaite and other heirs of Richard M. B. Braithwaite, the court authorized a sale of the real estate to the Williamsburg Holding Corporation upon the payment to the heirs of $1500, with a vendor's lien for the balance of the 17 purchase money of $29000.¹

Further details to title can be found in the Accounting Department, Colonial Williamsburg, Incorporated.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPORT Notes:

"Archaeological report, area C, Block 19 (Orlando Jones Property) July 13, 1939 with additional report in September, 1939 stated that there is a considerable amount of evidence to identify this dwelling (one built after 1745) with the foundation on the northwest corner of Lot 16. Orlando Jones' will of 1719 mentions only one house on Lots 16 & 17. The inventory of the same year indicates a house with at least two rooms and a central hall. This was probably the house at the northwest corner of Lot 16 .... It is therefore probable that the smaller house had disappeared as early as 1719. If not burned, it may have been pulled down in anticipation of the change of grading to street level."

"The foundation represents a house which must have been erected after 1699, and destroyed or burned not later than 1719."

ORLANDO JONES

Orlando Jones was the son of the Reverend Rowland Jones, first minister of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg. The father was born in 1644 at Swinbrook, Oxfordshire, England; attended Merton College in 1663 and emigrated to Virginia ca. 1673. He was minister in Williamsburg from 1664 to 1688 when he died. He is thought to have lived at Queen's Creek near town. Rowland Jones married Anne ---. His tomb in Bruton graveyard was removed in 1905 and placed within the chancel rail of the church. The inscription is in Latin.

Orlando Jones was born in 1681 on December 31st; married on January 31, 1703 Martha Macon, daughter of Gideon Macon. They had two children: Lane, born 1707 in St. Peters Parish, New Kent County; and Frances, born August 6, 1710. The latter married John Dandridge of New Kent County. They were the parents of Martha Dandridge who married (1) Daniel Parke Custis and (2) George Washington. Orlando Jones married the second time, Mary Williams. He died in 1719 leaving a will.

Orlando Jones was an usher at William and Mary College 1700-1702 when he resigned to go on a trip to England. He was a Burgess representing King William County in 1714, 1715 and 1718. He lived at Timson's Neck on York River and at Williamsburg. After his death Mrs. Mary Jones, his widow, married John James Flournoy, watchmaker, in Williamsburg. Mr. & Mrs. Flournoy lived in Williamsburg until 1730 when he emigrated to Hanover County where both died in April and May, 1740 respectively.

As the two Jones children were under age when their father died, Samuel Cobbs and Jean Pasteur went on John James Flournoy's bond as guardian of Lane Jones. This was in June, 1721. By 1725 Maria Timson, aunt, was guardian of Lane Jones. According to the will of Orlando Jones, his daughter would live and be educated by his wife, her step-mother, until her majority. However, in 1726 Graves Packe had become guardian of Frances Jones.

In 1729 the Flournoys sold Lots 16 & 17 in Williamsburg to Mrs. Joanna Archer.

Mrs. Martha Jones, first wife of Orlando Jones was buried at Bruton Parish Church. Both her stone and that of her husband, Orlando Jones, are in the chancel at the church. His monument was erected by his second wife, Mrs. Mary Williams Jones, daughter of James Williams of King and Queen County.

As Gideon Macon, father of Martha Macon Jones, was such an interesting character, we are giving some details of his life here. He first lived at "The Island" in New Kent County, settling there in 1680. Afterwards he removed to "Mount Prospect" near Williamsburg which home was owned by William Hartwell Macon, his grandson (in the third degree) in 1908. He is supposed to have married Martha, granddaughter of Thomas West, Lord Delaware. He died in 1702 or 1703 and was buried at "Mount Prospect." Gideon Macon was an Indian interpreter and at one time private secretary to Sir William Berkeley, the Governor. He was a vestryman of Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg, in 1685.

Sources used in compiling these biographical notes:

• Macon Genealogical Notes, by Dr. John Burton Nowlin (1908)
• The Record of Bruton Parish Church, by W.A.R. Goodwin (1941)
• York County Records (see House History for citations)

DR. KENNETH MCKENZIE

Dr. McKenzie was living in Charles City County at the time that he married Joanna Tyler, eldest daughter of John Tyler, late of James City County, in February 1737/38.

In 1745 Dr. McKenzie was living at the lot of Joanna Archer, on Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg. (Lots 16 & 17). The Virginia Gazette states that Mrs. Archer was deceased and "Doctor Kenneth MacKenzie [was] now living [thereon]."

In 1746 McKenzie advertised the shop utensils belonging to Dr. Thomas Wharton, deceased, for sale.

In 1747 Robert Cary, merchant of London, conveyed Lots 333, 334, 3359 336, on Palace Street, Williamsburg, to Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, doctor of Physics. He, apparently lived here from October. 1747 to December, 1751 when the property was leased or sold to Philip Grymes, Receiver General of Virginia, for the use of the Governor while the Palace was being conditioned for his occupancy.

Dr. McKenzie had a cousin, Dr. Kenneth McKenzie of Surry County, who owned vast tracts in Surry and in Brunswick County. He died in Surry County in 1767. This cousin was one of the executors of Dr. McKenzie of Williamsburg whose death occurred in 1755. His will is recorded in York County with long inventory of his medical shop appliances and library.

Dr. McKenzie had a daughter, Ann (Nancy) who married Dr. William Black of Petersburg, an eminent physician of this period. His son, William McKenzie, studied medicine under Dr. Black in Petersburg.

Sources used in compiling these biographical notes:

• Blanton's Medicine in Virginia in the Eighteenth Century (1931).
• Virginia Gazette.
• York County Records.
• Swem's Virginia Index:
  Tyler's Quarterly, Vol. X, p. 200;
  William & Mary Quarterly, series 1, Vol. 8, p. 16.
  Ibid., Vol. 5, p. 136.

[1727 July 17^th]

WEE the Subscribers in obedience to Several orders of York County Court have stated and Setled the Accompt of the Estate of Orlando Jones dec^d by which the ballance due to the Estate of Orlando Jones is Fifty one pounds twelve Shillings one penny half penny unless the Exrix ought to be allowed out of the Same Commission for receiving and paying £212.10.- the money for the Lots & houses in W^msburgh which she sold in pursuance of the Will But there are Several Articles in the Above Acc^t to w^ch M^rs Timson in behalf of the Jones Children objected to wit the Articles of funeral charges and the Articles p^r C^r 25, 42, 47, 58 & A & B which were barr to the Court And the said Timson insisted that the said Exrix ought to acc^t for the Crop made the year the testator died which we transferr to The Consideration of the Court
November 17^th 1726

R Hichman
Joseph Davenport

At a Court held for York County July 17^th 1727
This Settlement of the Estate of Orlando Jones dece^d was presented in Court by John James Flournoy Anna Maria Timson having offered Sundry Objections against this Settlem^t which the Court having fully heard all the Articles herein are allowed except N^o A fourty Shillings and the Amt is admitted to record And the Court are of Opinion that John James Flournoy shall diver^t from the Ballance Ten pounds twelve Shillings for Commissions for Sales if the house and Lot as also two pounds Nine Shillings & Sixteen Shillings w^ch the said Flournoy has since paid to diverse persons
TEST PHILIGHTFOOT CLCUR

Pursuant to an Order of York County Court to us the Subscribers dated the 21^st of Decem^r 1719. Ordering us to Appraise Such of the Estate of M^r Orlando Jones decd We met at the place appointed by the Exers and after being sworn We proceeded to Appraise w^t of the afores^d Estates as was Shewed us by the Exe^rs in Current Money as (Viz)

1 old Mare not found
Hugh Owen
Leo^d Claiborne
H Fox
Mary Jones

At a Court held for York County March 21^th 1719/20
This Inventory &c of the Estate of Orlando Jones dec^d was presented in Court & admitted to Record
Test Phi: Lightfoot Cl Cur

York County Records, Orders & Wills, XV, pp. 529-532.

IN OBEDIENCE to an Order of York County Court dated Nov^r the 16^th 1719, We the Subscribers have met Inventoryed & Appraised the Estate of Orlando Jones
dec^d as followeth
Viz^t

In the Poarch Chamber 1 feather bed boulster & pillow 1 blankett 1 Old bed stead 1 Old)
Looking Glass 3 Old Leather Chairs) 3.02.06

At a Court held for York County December 21: 1719 This Inventory & appraisement of the Estate of Orlando Jones dec^d was presented in Court by the Exer^s & Admitted to Record
Test Phi: Lightfoot Cl Cur
Matt^w Peirce Ralph Graves Jn^o Smith Rob^t Cobbs Mary Jones

In doing some research in the early York County Court records concerning the Rev. Rowland Jones, first rector of Bruton Parish (1674-1688), I came across the room-by-room inventory of his estate, and information on his plantation and the house which the inventory concerned. It was obviously the same house that his son, Orlando Jones, occupied at the time of his death in June, 1719; although the latter's inventory of 1719 has been associated with the house in Williamsburg which Orlando Jones had apparently recently built at the time of his death, on lots he purchased in October, 1716, from the Trustees for the City of Williamsburg. If he intended to occupy the house, his will indicated that he had not moved into it.

I attach a copy of the inventory (1689) of Rowland Jones's estate. A comparison with the Orlando Jones (1719) inventory will show that although the use of some of the rooms had changed, the same rooms were there, and much of the same furniture was listed.

Briefly, and for the record, the Rev. Rowland Jones (who had use of and paid quitrent on the Bruton Parish glebe) occupied in 1684, if not earlier, a four-hundred-acre plantation in Burton Parish, York County, which he purchased in September, 1684, for £200 sterling, from "John Juxon Cittizen and Salter of London and Sarah his wife late Sarah Webb of London widdow."¹ The plantation had been purchased by Robert Spring, merchant of York County, in April, 1676. Between that time and 1681 Spring had "built a faire brick house & appurtenances" upon it. In June, 1681, Robert Spring, and his wife Ann, deeded the property to "Sarah Webb of London Widdow" for debts due her husband "Thomas Webb late Merchant & Citizen & Clothworker of London who dyed in 2 Virginia."² As noted above, in 1684 John and Sarah Juxon "late Sarah Webb," sold the property to "Rowland Jones of Queenes Creek ... Clerck," the deed mentioning "the Brick-house and bricks and all other houses Structures and buildings whatsoever thereupon erected... scituate in or neare S^t Andrewes and Queenes Creek."

The will and inventory of the Rev. Rowland Jones show that he had a substantial estate in Burton Parish, York County; and plantations in Pamunkey Neck, and "Chickohominy Swamp" in Charles City County, which he devised to Robert and William Jones, sons by his first wife Elizabeth Jones, who died in 1678. He left other bequests to them, and substantial bequests to his wife, Ann Jones, and their two children, Orlando and Anna Maria Jones; to his sister, Mrs. Jane Gooch and her three children, and to other sisters, friends and relations. He left his wife Ann Jones "that plantation whereon I Now dwell to Injoy the same during her Natural Life," except for forty acres in the northeast corner, which he left his sister Jane Gooch during her lifetime. The entire plantation was to go to his son, Orlando Jones, after the death of his mother and aunt.³

The Rev. Rowland Jones died on April 23, 1688, and was buried, as requested in his will, in the churchyard of Bruton Parish. On September 24, 1689 an appraisal of his estate was ordered by York County Court, and the resulting inventory was ordered recorded on December 18, 1689.⁴ On July 24, 1690, Mrs. Ann Jones petitioned the court that there be a settlement of the estate, to account for debts and legacies paid, payments made to the estate, etc. Recorded on September 24, 1690, the settlement noted the payment of quitrents for the "Gleabe" and for the 400-acre plantation; and payments received by the estate from Burton Parish (9136 lbs. tobacco); and lesser payments from Mulberry Island Parish, Martin's Hundred Parish, and Pocoson Parish, indicated that Rowland Jones served those parishes at times.⁵

In due time Orlando Jones inherited the plantation, which he was occupying at the time of his death, with his second wife, Mary Williams Jones, and Lane and Frances Jones, children by his first wife, Martha Macon Jones. Orlando Jones died on June 12, 1719, age thirty-eight.⁶ By will dated June 4, 1719, Orlando Jones ordered the sale of his "house & two lotts in Williamsburgh ... towards payment of my debts legacies & funerall Charges," and also out of "the produce thereof," gave his wife £100 3 sterling which, with other legacies, were to be "in full, Compensation & recompence of her Dower..." He desired that his wife "have the tuition & bringing up" of his daughter Frances "till she Comes of Age or is married"; and that his brother [inlaw] W^m Macon "be tutor to my son Lane if he will Accept thereof." He gave his wife "the use & Occupation of all my household stuff & my stock of Cattle now here as long as she shall live here with my Children a widdow & perform this my last Will & Testament together w^th my sheep & hoggs & then to my son Lane Jones and his heirs for ever."⁷ The will was proved and ordered recorded on November 16, 1719, having been presented by Mrs. Mary Jones, executrix; and an inventory and appraisement of the estate was ordered at that time. The inventory, listing rooms and furnishings of the house, and cattle, sheep, hogs and horses on the plantation, was recorded on December 21, 1719.⁸

The Williamsburg house and lots 16 & 17 were sold by Mary Jones, "Widow of Orlando Jones Late of the County of York, Gent^l dec^d" in January 1719/20 to "John James Flournoy of the City of Williamsburgh Watchmaker," for £100 sterling and £100 Virginia currency.⁹ Mrs. Mary Williams Jones soon married Mr. Flournoy, who qualified as guardian of her stepson, Lane Jones, in 1721. The family may have continued for a time on the York County plantation; but in 1725 Lane Jones chose his aunt Mrs. Anna Maria (Jones) Timson to be his guardian; and the following year Frances Jones chose Graves Pack as her guardian. Both guardians brought suit against John James Flournoy concerning the estate of Orlando Jones. In 1729, when Flournoy "of the City of Williamsburg Watchmaker" sold the Williamsburg house and lots 16 and 17 to Mrs. Joanna Archer, his wife Mary agreed to the deed.¹⁰

I have not gone further into the ownerships of the brick house and plantation on "St Andrews and Queenes Creek."

Notes

INVENTORY OF ESTATE OF THE REV. ROWLAND JONES IN BURTON PARISH, YORK COUNTY

Sworne before mee this 17th day of December 1689 being soe appointed by y^e Court
Robert Booth
Test E Jenings

ffrancis Page
Martin Gardiner
E Jenings
Jn^o Gawen

M^rs Ann Jones was by vertue of an Ord^r of York Court sworne to this Inventory & appraisem^t by M^r Robert Booth one of their Mat^yes Justices for this County & recorded P[er] E Jenings C. Cur.